by Harmen Batubara
Choosing
the right laptop for Social Studies students requires careful consideration of
performance, portability, durability, and, of course, budget. Social Studies
students typically use laptops for tasks such as essay writing, online
research, presentations, light data analysis, and communication and
collaboration via video conferencing platforms. High graphics requirements or
heavy computing processing are generally not a top priority.
*
“ASUS Vivobook Go 14 E1404FA-FHD352:” Powered by an AMD R3-7320U processor, 8GB
of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. It has a 14-inch FHD display, and also includes
Windows 11 and Office Home & Student.
*
“ASUS Vivobook 14 A1404:” Several variants of the A1404 series, such as the
A1404ZA-VIPS551, are often cited as ideal choices that balance performance and
portability. One variant, the A1404VA-VIPS751M, has even higher specifications
with an Intel Core i7-1355U, 8GB DDR4 RAM, and a 512GB SSD. However, its price
is likely to be slightly above the Rp 6 million (approximately US$400) mark, or
it may require adjustments to get a variant with a lower processor to fit your
budget.
All
ASUS Vivobook models mentioned come pre-installed with the Windows 11 operating
system and Office Home & Student 2021, ensuring immediate compatibility
with essential productivity applications like Microsoft Word, Excel, and
PowerPoint. Furthermore, these laptops' basic specifications are sufficient to
run browser applications, video conferencing platforms (Zoom, Google Meet), and
light data analysis applications if needed.
*
“Intel i3-N305 (Vivobook Go 14 E1404GA):” This processor is sufficient for
basic tasks such as browsing, typing documents, presentations, and light
multitasking. It is an energy-efficient option suitable for everyday use by
social students.
*
“AMD R3-7320U (Vivobook Go 14 E1404FA):” Similar to the Intel i3-N305, this
processor also offers adequate performance for general tasks by social
students.
*
“Intel Core i5 (Vivobook 14 A1404ZA-VIPS551) or Intel Core i7-1355U (Vivobook
14 A1404VA-VIPS751M):” An Intel Core processor, especially an i5 or i7, will
provide much more responsive and efficient performance for heavier multitasking
or slightly more demanding applications. If it is possible to get a variant
with a Core i5 within your budget, this will be a significant upgrade.
Most
models found have 8GB of RAM. 8GB of RAM is sufficient for students majoring in
Social Sciences, allowing for smooth multitasking between browsers with
multiple tabs, word processing applications, and communication platforms. Some
Vivobook models also offer RAM upgrade options, which could be a plus in the future.
A
Solid State Drive (SSD) is standard on these models, with a choice of 256GB or
512GB.
*
“256GB SSD:” Sufficient for the operating system, applications, and a few
documents. However, students may need to manage storage more carefully or
utilize cloud storage for large files.
*
“512GB SSD:” Highly recommended. This capacity provides more space for the
system, applications, and all course files without worrying about them filling
up quickly. The speed of the SSD also ensures fast boot times and application
loading.
Generally,
Vivobook models in this price range use an integrated GPU (UMA) such as Intel
UHD Graphics or AMD Radeon Graphics. This is more than sufficient for the needs
of social media students who don't involve heavy graphic design, professional
video editing, or demanding gaming. For presentations, watching videos, and
everyday tasks, an integrated GPU is perfectly adequate.
ASUS
Vivobooks are known for their solid designs, and some models, like the Vivobook
14 A1404, even meet the US military's MIL-STD 810H durability standard, demonstrating
durability against daily use and varying environmental conditions. Weights
start at 1.3 kg and
2.
“Adequate Processor:” Both the AMD R3-7320U and Intel i3-N305 are more than
sufficient to run college applications such as word processing, spreadsheets,
presentations, online research, and video conferencing smoothly. These
processors are also power-efficient, contributing to better battery life.
3.
“8GB RAM:” 8GB of RAM is a good standard for efficient multitasking for Social
Media students, allowing them to open multiple applications and browser tabs
simultaneously without any significant issues.
4.
“512GB SSD:” This is the optimal storage capacity. A 512GB SSD will provide
enough space for the operating system, all applications, as well as a large
number of documents, reports, and lecture materials, while ensuring fast boot
times and high application responsiveness.
[blibli.com](https://www.blibli.com/inspirasi/laptop-asus-vivobook?appsWebview=true)
5.
“14-inch FHD Display:” This screen size is ideal for portability while
providing ample workspace for reading and typing. The Full HD resolution
ensures sharp text and images.
6.
“Portability and Durability:” The Vivobook Go 14 series is known for its light
weight (around 1.3 kg) and compact design, making it easy to carry anywhere.
[asus.com](https://www.asus.com/laptops/for-students/vivobook/) Although
generally lacking military-grade certification, Vivobooks are known for their
good build quality for their price.
7.
“Operating System and Office Bundling:” Windows 11 and Office Home &
Student 2021 are included, which is a significant plus since you don't need to
purchase essential software licenses separately.
[blibli.com](https://www.blibli.com/inspirasi/laptop-asus-vivobook?appsWebview=true)
*
“Vivobook 14 A1404 (with Intel Core i5):” If there is an ASUS Vivobook 14 A1404
variant with an Intel Core i5 processor available within the Rp 6 million
budget, this would be a superior choice in terms of overall performance and system
responsiveness. This variant also has good chassis durability and weight.
[id.store.asus.com](https://id.store.asus.com/vivobook-14-a1404-vivobook-14-a1404.html)
However, be sure to verify the processor specifications and price to ensure it
fits your budget.